Modified pyrimidine glucocorticoid receptor modulators

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a class of modified pyrimidine compounds, compositions and methods of using the compounds as glucocorticoid receptor modulators.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/174,096, filed Jun. 29, 2005, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/585,018, filed Jul. 2, 2004,which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety forall purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In most species, including man, the physiological glucocorticoid iscortisol (hydrocortisone). Glucocorticoids are secreted in response toACTH (corticotropin), which shows both circadian rhythm variation andelevations in response to stress and food. Cortisol levels areresponsive within minutes to many physical and psychological stresses,including trauma, surgery, exercise, anxiety and depression. Cortisol isa steroid and acts by binding to an intracellular, glucocorticoidreceptor (GR). In man, glucocorticoid receptors are present in twoforms: a ligand-binding GR-alpha of 777 amino acids; and, a GR-betaisoform which differs in only the last fifteen amino acids. The twotypes of GR have high affinity for their specific ligands, and areconsidered to function through the same transduction pathways.

The biologic effects of cortisol, including those caused byhypercortisolemia, can be modulated at the GR level using receptormodulators, such as agonists, partial agonists and antagonists. Severaldifferent classes of agents are able to block the physiologic effects ofGR-agonist binding. These antagonists include compositions which, bybinding to GR, block the ability of an agonist to effectively bind toand/or activate the GR. One such known GR antagonist, mifepristone, hasbeen found to be an effective anti-glucocorticoid agent in humans(Bertagna (1984) J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 59:25). Mifepristone bindsto the GR with high affinity, with a dissociation constant (K_(d)) of10⁻⁹ M (Cadepond (1997) Annu. Rev. Med. 48:129).

Patients with some forms of psychiatric illnesses have been found tohave increased levels of cortisol (Krishnan (1992) Prog.Neuro-Psychopharmacol. & Biol. Psychiat. 16:913-920). For example, somedepressed individuals can be responsive to treatments which block theeffect of cortisol, as by administering GR antagonists (Van Look (1995)Human Reproduction Update 1: 19-34). In one study, a patient withdepression secondary to Cushing's Syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism) wasresponsive to a high dose, up to 1400 mg per day, of GR antagonistmifepristone (Nieman (1985) J. Clin Endocrinol. Metab. 61:536). Anotherstudy which used mifepristone to treat Cushing's syndrome found that itimproved the patients' conditions, including their psychiatric status(Chrousos, pp 273-284, In: Baulieu, ed. The Antiprogestin Steroid RU 486and Human Fertility Control. Plenum Press, New York (1989), Sartor(1996) Clin. Obstetrics and Gynecol. 39:506-510).

Psychosis has also been associated with Cushing's syndrome (Gerson(1985) Can. J. Psychiatry 30:223-224; Saad (1984) Am. J. Med.76:759-766). Mifepristone has been used to treat acute psychiatricdisturbances secondary to Cushing's syndrome. One study showed that arelatively high dose of mifepristone (400 to 800 mg per day) was usefulin rapidly reversing acute psychosis in patients with severe CushingSyndrome due to adrenal cancers and ectopic secretion of ACTH from lungcancer (Van der Lely (1991) Ann. Intern. Med. 114:143; Van der Lely(1993) Pharmacy World & Science 15:89-90; Sartor (1996) supra).

A treatment for psychosis or the psychotic component of illnesses, suchas psychotic major depression, has recently been discovered (Schatzberget al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,349). The treatment includes administrationof an amount of a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist effective toameliorate the psychosis. The psychosis may also be associated withpsychotic major depression, schizoaffective disorder, Alzheimer'sDisease and cocaine addiction.

Thus, there exists a great need for a more effective and safer treatmentfor illnesses and conditions associated with the glucocorticoidreceptors, including psychotic major depression. The present inventionfulfills these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a GR modulator compoundhaving the formula:

In Formula (I), m and n are integers independently selected from 0 to 2.X¹ and X² are independently selected from O and S.

Z is selected from C and N. If Z is N, however, then R² is absent.

R¹ is selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

R² is selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, —CN, —OR^(2A),-L^(2A)-C(O)R^(2B), and -L^(2B)-S(O)₂R^(2C). L^(2A) and L^(2B) areindependently selected from a bond and —NH—.

R^(2A) is a member selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl. R^(2B) and R^(2C) are independently selected from hydrogen,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl,substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, —NR^(2D)R^(2E), and —OR^(2F).

R^(2D), R^(2E), and R^(2F) are independently selected from hydrogen,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, andsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

R³ is selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl. In anexemplary embodiment, R³ is selected from substituted or unsubstitutedarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl-alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl.

R⁴ is selected from hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. Inan exemplary embodiment, where R⁴ is methyl, -L¹-R¹ is not benzyl or—C(O)—O—CH₂—CH₃. In another exemplary embodiment, R⁴ is selected fromhydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₂₀ alkyl. R⁴ may also beselected from hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted higher alkyl.

L¹ is selected from a bond, —O—, —S—, —SO₂—, —C(O)N—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)—,NR^(1A)—, substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkylene. R^(1A) is selected from substituted orunsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl.

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating adisorder or condition through modulating a glucocorticoid receptor. Themethod includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment, aneffective amount of the compound of Formula (I).

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating adisorder or condition through antagonizing a glucocorticoid receptor.The method includes administering to a subject in need of suchtreatment, an effective amount of the compound of Formula (I).

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of modulatinga glucocorticoid receptor including the steps of contacting aglucocorticoid receptor with the compound of Formula (I) and detecting achange in the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition. The pharmaceutical composition includes a pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipient and a compound of having the formula:

Where a pharmaceutical composition includes a compound of Formula (I),n, m, Z, X¹, X², L¹, R¹, R², and R⁴ are as defined above. R³ is selectedfrom substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedcycloalkyl-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl-alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedcycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Abbreviations And Definitions

The abbreviations used herein have their conventional meaning within thechemical and biological arts.

Where moieties are specified by their conventional chemical formulae,written from left to right, they equally encompass the chemicallyidentical moieties that would result from writing the structure fromright to left, e.g., —CH₂O— is equivalent to —OCH₂—.

The term “alkyl,” by itself or as part of another substituent, means,unless otherwise stated, a straight (i.e. unbranched) or branched chain,or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, or combination thereof, which may befully saturated, mono- or polyunsaturated and can include di- andmultivalent radicals, having the number of carbon atoms designated (i.e.C₁-C₁₀ means one to ten carbons). Examples of saturated hydrocarbonradicals include, but are not limited to, groups such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, cyclohexyl,(cyclohexyl)methyl, cyclopropylmethyl, homologs and isomers of, forexample, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, and the like. Anunsaturated alkyl group is one having one or more double bonds or triplebonds. Examples of unsaturated alkyl groups include, but are not limitedto, vinyl, 2-propenyl, crotyl, 2-isopentenyl, 2-(butadienyl),2,4-pentadienyl, 3-(1,4-pentadienyl), ethynyl, 1- and 3-propynyl,3-butynyl, and the higher homologs and isomers.

The term “alkylene” by itself or as part of another substituent means adivalent radical derived from an alkyl, as exemplified, but not limited,by —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—. Typically, an alkyl (or alkylene) group will havefrom 1 to 24 carbon atoms, including those groups having 10 or fewercarbon atoms. A “lower alkyl” or “lower alkylene” is a shorter chainalkyl or alkylene group, generally having eight or fewer carbon atoms.

The terms “alkoxy,” “alkylamino,” and “alkylthio” (or thioalkoxy) areused in their conventional sense, and refer to those alkyl groupsattached to the remainder of the molecule via an oxygen atom, an aminogroup, or a sulfur atom, respectively.

The term “heteroalkyl,” by itself or in combination with another term,means, unless otherwise stated, a stable straight or branched chain, orcyclic hydrocarbon radical, or combinations thereof, consisting of thestated number of carbon atoms and a heteroatom selected from the groupconsisting of O, N, P, Si and S, and wherein the nitrogen and sulfuratoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatom mayoptionally be quaternized. The heteroatom(s) O, N, P and S and Si may beplaced at any interior position of the heteroalkyl group or at theposition at which the alkyl group is attached to the remainder of themolecule. Examples include, but are not limited to, —CH₂—CH₂—O—CH₃,—CH₂—CH₂—NH—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)—CH₃, —CH₂—S—CH₂—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂,—S(O)—CH₃, —CH₂—CH₂—S(O)₂—CH₃, —CH═CH—O—CH₃, —Si(CH₃)₃, —CH₂—CH═N—OCH₃,—CH═CH—N(CH₃)—CH₃, O—CH₃, —O—CH₂—CH₃, and —CN. Up to two heteroatoms maybe consecutive, such as, for example, —CH₂—NH—OCH₃ and —CH₂—O—Si(CH₃)₃.Similarly, the term “heteroalkylene” by itself or as part of anothersubstituent means a divalent radical derived from heteroalkyl, asexemplified, but not limited by, —CH₂—CH₂—S—CH₂—CH₂— and—CH₂—S—CH₂—CH₂—NH—CH₂—. For heteroalkylene groups, heteroatoms can alsooccupy either or both of the chain termini (e.g., alkyleneoxy,alkylenedioxy, alkyleneamino, alkylenediamino, and the like). Stillfurther, for alkylene and heteroalkylene linking groups, no orientationof the linking group is implied by the direction in which the formula ofthe linking group is written. For example, the formula —C(O)₂R′—represents both —C(O)₂R′— and —R′C(O)₂—. As described above, heteroalkylgroups, as used herein, include those groups that are attached to theremainder of the molecule through a heteroatom, such as —C(O)R′,—C(O)NR′, —NR′R″, —OR′, —SR′, and/or —SO₂R′. Where “heteroalkyl” isrecited, followed by recitations of specific heteroalkyl groups, such as—NR′R″ or the like, it will be understood that the terms heteroalkyl and—NR′R″ are not redundant or mutually exclusive. Rather, the specificheteroalkyl groups are recited to add clarity. Thus, the term“heteroalkyl” should not be interpreted herein as excluding specificheteroalkyl groups, such as —NR′R″ or the like.

The terms “cycloalkyl” and “heterocycloalkyl”, by themselves or incombination with other terms, represent, unless otherwise stated, cyclicversions of “alkyl” and “heteroalkyl”, respectively. Additionally, forheterocycloalkyl, a heteroatom can occupy the position at which theheterocycle is attached to the remainder of the molecule. Examples ofcycloalkyl include, but are not limited to, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,1-cyclohexenyl, 3-cyclohexenyl, cycloheptyl, and the like. Examples ofheterocycloalkyl include, but are not limited to,1-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridyl), 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl,3-piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 3-morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl,tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, tetrahydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrothien-3-yl,1-piperazinyl, 2-piperazinyl, and the like.

The terms “halo” or “halogen,” by themselves or as part of anothersubstituent, mean, unless otherwise stated, a fluorine, chlorine,bromine, or iodine atom. Additionally, terms such as “haloalkyl,” aremeant to include monohaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl. For example, the term“halo(C₁-C₄)alkyl” is mean to include, but not be limited to,trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 4-chlorobutyl, 3-bromopropyl, andthe like.

The term “aryl” means, unless otherwise stated, a polyunsaturated,aromatic, hydrocarbon substituent which can be a single ring or multiplerings (preferably from 1 to 3 rings) which are fused together or linkedcovalently. The term “heteroaryl” refers to aryl groups (or rings) thatcontain from one to four heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, whereinthe nitrogen and sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, and the nitrogenatom(s) are optionally quaternized. A heteroaryl group can be attachedto the remainder of the molecule through a carbon or heteroatom.Non-limiting examples of aryl and heteroaryl groups include phenyl,1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 4-biphenyl, 1-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl,3-pyrazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, pyrazinyl, 2-oxazolyl,4-oxazolyl, 2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl,5-isoxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl,2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidyl,4-pyrimidyl, 5-benzothiazolyl, purinyl, 2-benzimidazolyl, 5-indolyl,1-isoquinolyl, 5-isoquinolyl, 2-quinoxalinyl, 5-quinoxalinyl,3-quinolyl, and 6-quinolyl. Substituent moieties for each of the abovenoted aryl and heteroaryl ring systems may be selected from the group ofacceptable substituent moieties described below.

For brevity, the term “aryl” when used in combination with other terms(e.g., aryloxy, arylthioxy, arylalkyl) includes both aryl and heteroarylrings as defined above. Thus, the term “arylalkyl” is meant to includethose radicals in which an aryl group is attached to an alkyl group(e.g., benzyl, phenethyl, pyridylmethyl and the like) including thosealkyl groups in which a carbon atom (e.g., a methylene group) has beenreplaced by, for example, an oxygen atom (e.g., phenoxymethyl,2-pyridyloxymethyl, 3-(1-naphthyloxy)propyl, and the like).

The term “oxo” as used herein means an oxygen that is double bonded to acarbon atom.

Each of the above terms (e.g., “alkyl,” “heteroalkyl,” “aryl” and“heteroaryl”) are meant to include both substituted and unsubstitutedforms of the indicated radical. Preferred substituent moieties for eachtype of radical are provided below.

Substituent moieties for the alkyl and heteroalkyl radicals (includingthose groups often referred to as alkylene, alkenyl, heteroalkylene,heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, andheterocycloalkenyl) can be one or more of a variety of groups selectedfrom, but not limited to: —OR′, ═O, ═NR′, ═N—OR′, —NR′R″, —SR′,-halogen, —SiR′R″′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)R′, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″,—NR″C(O)R′, —NR′—C(O)NR″R′″, —NR″C(O)₂R′, —NR—C(NR′R″R′″)═NR″″,—NR—C(NR′R″)═NR′″, —S(O)R′, —S(O)₂R′, —S(O)₂NR′R″, —NRSO₂R′, —CN and—NO₂ in a number ranging from zero to (2 m′+1), where m′ is the totalnumber of carbon atoms in such radical. R′, R″, R′″ and R″″ eachpreferably independently refer to hydrogen, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl (e.g.,aryl substituted with 1-3 halogens), substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,alkoxy or thioalkoxy groups, or arylalkyl groups. When a compound of theinvention includes more than one R group, for example, each of the Rgroups is independently selected as are each R′, R″, R′″ and R″″ groupswhen more than one of these groups is present. When R′ and R″ areattached to the same nitrogen atom, they can be combined with thenitrogen atom to form a 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring. For example,—NR′R″ is meant to include, but not be limited to, 1-pyrrolidinyl and4-morpholinyl. From the above discussion of substituent moieties, one ofskill in the art will understand that the term “alkyl” is meant toinclude groups including carbon atoms bound to groups other thanhydrogen groups, such as haloalkyl (e.g., —CF₃ and —CH₂CF₃) and acyl(e.g., —C(O)CH₃, —C(O)CF₃, —C(O)CH₂OCH₃, and the like).

Similar to the substituent moieties described for the alkyl radical,substituent moieties for the aryl and heteroaryl groups are varied andmay be selected from, for example: halogen, —OR′, —NR′R″, —SR′,-halogen, —SiR′R″R′″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)R′, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″,—NR″C(O)R′, —NR′—C(O)NR″R′″, —NR″C(O)₂R′, —NR—C(NR′R″R′″)═NR″″,—NR—C(NR′R″)═NR′″, —S(O)R′, —S(O)₂R′, —S(O)₂NR′R″, —NRSO₂R′, —CN and—NO₂, —R′, —N₃, —CH(Ph)₂, fluoro(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, and fluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl,in a number ranging from zero to the total number of open valences onthe aromatic ring system; and where R′, R″, R′″ and R″″ are preferablyindependently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted aryl and substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl. When a compound of the invention includes more than one Rgroup, for example, each of the R groups is independently selected asare each R′, R″, R′″ and R″″ groups when more than one of these groupsis present.

Two of the substituent moieties on adjacent atoms of the aryl orheteroaryl ring may optionally form a ring of the formula-T-C(O)—(CRR′)_(q)—U—, wherein T and U are independently —NR—, —O—,—CRR′— or a single bond, and q is an integer of from 0 to 3.Alternatively, two of the substituent moieties on adjacent atoms of thearyl or heteroaryl ring may optionally be replaced with a substituent ofthe formula -A-(CH₂)_(r)—B—, wherein A and B are independently —CRR′—,—O—, —NR—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂NR′— or a single bond, and r isan integer of from 1 to 4. One of the single bonds of the new ring soformed may optionally be replaced with a double bond. Alternatively, twoof the substituent moieties on adjacent atoms of the aryl or heteroarylring may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula—(CRR′)_(s)—X′—(C″R′″)_(d)—, where s and d are independently integers offrom 0 to 3, and X′ is —O—, —NR′—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, or —S(O)₂NR′—.The substituent moieties R, R′, R″ and R′″ are preferably independentlyselected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substitutedor unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl.

As used herein, the term “heteroatom” or “ring heteroatom” is meant toinclude oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), andsilicon (Si).

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” is meant to include saltsof the active compounds which are prepared with relatively nontoxicacids or bases, depending on the particular substituent moieties foundon the compounds described herein. When compounds of the presentinvention contain relatively acidic functionalities, base addition saltscan be obtained by contacting the neutral form of such compounds with asufficient amount of the desired base, either neat or in a suitableinert solvent. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable base additionsalts include sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, organic amino, ormagnesium salt, or a similar salt. When compounds of the presentinvention contain relatively basic functionalities, acid addition saltscan be obtained by contacting the neutral form of such compounds with asufficient amount of the desired acid, either neat or in a suitableinert solvent. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable acid additionsalts include those derived from inorganic acids like hydrochloric,hydrobromic, nitric, carbonic, monohydrogencarbonic, phosphoric,monohydrogenphosphoric, dihydrogenphosphoric, sulfuric,monohydrogensulfuric, hydriodic, or phosphorous acids and the like, aswell as the salts derived from relatively nontoxic organic acids likeacetic, propionic, isobutyric, maleic, malonic, benzoic, succinic,suberic, fumaric, lactic, mandelic, phthalic, benzenesulfonic,p-tolylsulfonic, citric, tartaric, methanesulfonic, and the like. Alsoincluded are salts of amino acids such as arginate and the like, andsalts of organic acids like glucuronic or galactunoric acids and thelike (see, for example, Berge et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts”, Journal ofPharmaceutical Science, 1977, 66, 1-19). Certain specific compounds ofthe present invention contain both basic and acidic functionalities thatallow the compounds to be converted into either base or acid additionsalts.

The neutral forms of the compounds are preferably regenerated bycontacting the salt with a base or acid and isolating the parentcompound in the conventional manner. The parent form of the compounddiffers from the various salt forms in certain physical properties, suchas solubility in polar solvents.

In addition to salt forms, the present invention provides compounds,which are in a prodrug form. Prodrugs of the compounds described hereinare those compounds that readily undergo chemical changes underphysiological conditions to provide the compounds of the presentinvention. Additionally, prodrugs can be converted to the compounds ofthe present invention by chemical or biochemical methods in an ex vivoenvironment. For example, prodrugs can be slowly converted to thecompounds of the present invention when placed in a transdermal patchreservoir with a suitable enzyme or chemical reagent.

Certain compounds of the present invention can exist in unsolvated formsas well as solvated forms, including hydrated forms. In general, thesolvated forms are equivalent to unsolvated forms and are encompassedwithin the scope of the present invention. Certain compounds of thepresent invention may exist in multiple crystalline or amorphous forms.In general, all physical forms are equivalent for the uses contemplatedby the present invention and are intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention.

Certain compounds of the present invention possess asymmetric carbonatoms (optical centers) or double bonds; the racemates, diastereomers,tautomers, geometric isomers and individual isomers are encompassedwithin the scope of the present invention. The compounds of the presentinvention do not include those which are known in the art to be toounstable to synthesize and/or isolate.

The compounds of the present invention may also contain unnaturalproportions of atomic isotopes at one or more of the atoms thatconstitute such compounds. For example, the compounds may beradiolabeled with radioactive isotopes, such as for example tritium(³H), iodine-125 (¹²⁵I or carbon-14 (¹⁴C). All isotopic variations ofthe compounds of the present invention, whether radioactive or not, areencompassed within the scope of the present invention.

Where two groups are “optionally joined together to form a ring,” thetwo groups are covalently bonded together with the atom or atoms towhich the two groups are joined to form a substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, a substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl, or a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl ring.

The terms “arylalkyl,” “heteroarylalkyl,” “cycloalkyl-alkyl,” and“heterocycloalkyl-alkyl,” as used herein, refer to an aryl, heteroaryl,cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl, respectively, attached to the remainderof the molecule via an alkylene group. Where an “arylalkyl,”“heteroarylalkyl,” “cycloalkyl-alkyl,” or “heterocycloalkyl-alkyl” issubstituted, one or more substituent moieties may be covalently bondedto the alkylene moiety and/or the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl andheterocycloalkyl moieties, respectively. A “C₁-C₂₀” arylalkyl,heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, or heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, aremoieties in which a C₁-C₂₀ alkylene links an aryl, heteroaryl, C₄-C₈cycloalkyl, and 4 to 8 membered heterocycloalkyl, respectively, to theremainder of the molecule. A “C₁-C₈” arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl,cycloalkyl-alkyl, or heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, are moieties in which aC₁-C₈ alkylene links an aryl, heteroaryl, C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl, and 5 to 7membered heterocycloalkyl, respectively, to the remainder of themolecule

A “substituent group,” as used herein, means a group selected from thefollowing moieties:

-   -   (A) —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —CN, —CF₃, oxy, halogen, unsubstituted        alkyl, unsubstituted heteroalkyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl,        unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl,        unsubstituted heteroaryl, and    -   (B) alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and        heteroaryl, substituted with at least one substituent selected        from:        -   (i) oxy, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —CN, —CF₃, halogen, unsubstituted            alkyl, unsubstituted heteroalkyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl,            unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl,            unsubstituted heteroaryl, and        -   (ii) alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl,            and heteroaryl, substituted with at least one substituent            selected from:            -   (a) oxy, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —CN, —CF₃, halogen,                unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted heteroalkyl,                unsubstituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted                heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl, unsubstituted                heteroaryl, and            -   (b) alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,                aryl, or heteroaryl, substituted with at least one                substituent selected from oxy, —OH, —NH₂, —SH, —CN,                —CF₃, halogen, unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted                heteroalkyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted                heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl, and unsubstituted                heteroaryl.

A “size-limited substituent” or “size-limited substituent group,” asused herein means a group selected from all of the substituentsdescribed above for a “substituent group,” wherein each substituted orunsubstituted alkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, eachsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl is a substituted orunsubstituted 2 to 20 membered heteroalkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted C₄-C₈cycloalkyl, and each substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted 4 to 8 membered heterocycloalkyl.

A “lower substituent” or “lower substituent group,” as used herein meansa group selected from all of the substituents described above for a“substituent group,” wherein each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl isa substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 8membered heteroalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl, and each substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 5 to 7membered heterocycloalkyl.

The term “cortisol” refers to a family of compositions also referred toas hydrocortisone, and any synthetic or natural analogues thereof.

The term “glucocorticoid receptor” (“GR”) refers to a family ofintracellular receptors also referred to as the cortisol receptor, whichspecifically bind to cortisol and/or cortisol analogs (e.g.dexamethasone). The term includes isoforms of GR, recombinant GR andmutated GR.

The term “glucocorticoid receptor antagonist” refers to any compositionor compound which partially or completely inhibits (antagonizes) thebinding of a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist, such as cortisol, orcortisol analogs, synthetic or natural, to a GR. A “specificglucocorticoid receptor antagonist” refers to any composition orcompound which inhibits any biological response associated with thebinding of a GR to an agonist. By “specific,” we intend the drug topreferentially bind to the GR rather than another nuclear receptors,such as mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) or progesterone receptor (PR).

A patient “not otherwise in need of treatment with a glucocorticoidreceptor modulator” is a patient who is not suffering from a conditionwhich is known in the art to be effectively treatable withglucocorticoid receptor modulators. Conditions known in the art to beeffectively treatable with glucocorticoid receptor modulators includediabetes, Cushing's disease, drug withdrawal, psychosis, dementia,stress disorders, psychotic major depression, as well as those describedbelow.

The term “treating” refers to any indicia of success in the treatment oramelioration of an injury, pathology or condition, including anyobjective or subjective parameter such as abatement; remission;diminishing of symptoms or making the injury, pathology or conditionmore tolerable to the patient; slowing in the rate of degeneration ordecline; making the final point of degeneration less debilitating;improving a patient's physical or mental well-being. The treatment oramelioration of symptoms can be based on objective or subjectiveparameters; including the results of a physical examination,neuropsychiatric exams, and/or a psychiatric evaluation. For example,the methods of the invention successfully treat a patient's delirium bydecreasing the incidence of disturbances in consciousness or cognition.

The term “higher alkyl” refers to those alkyl groups having at least sixcarbon atoms. The term “lower alkyl” refers to those alkyl groups havingfrom one to five carbon atoms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS I. Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulators

It has now been discovered that modified pyrimidine compounds are potentmodulators of glucocorticoid receptors (“GR”). GR modulators (alsoreferred to herein as compounds of the present invention) typically actas agonists, partial agonists or antagonists of GR thereby affecting awide array of cellular functions, physiological functions and diseasestates.

Cortisol acts by binding to an intracellular glucocorticoid receptor. Inhumans, glucocorticoid receptors are present in two forms: aligand-binding GR-alpha of 777 amino acids; and, a GR-beta isoform thatdiffers in only the last fifteen amino acids. The two types of GR havehigh affinity for their specific ligands, and are considered to functionthrough the same transduction pathways.

GR modulators are typically efficacious agents for influencing importantcellular and physiological functions such as carbohydrate, protein andlipid metabolism; electrolyte and water balance; and functions of thecardiovascular system, kidney, central nervous system, immune system,skeletal muscle system and other organ and tissue systems. GR modulatorsmay also affect a wide variety of disease states, such as obesity,diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, Syndrome X, depression,anxiety, glaucoma, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquiredimmunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer'sdisease and Parkinson's disease), cognition enhancement, Cushing'sSyndrome, Addison's Disease, osteoporosis, frailty, inflammatorydiseases (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma andrhinitis), adrenal function-related ailments, viral infection,immunodeficiency, immunomodulation, autoimmune diseases, allergies,wound healing, compulsive behavior, multi-drug resistance, addiction,psychosis associated with depression, anorexia, cachexia, post-traumaticstress syndrome, post-surgical bone fracture, medical catabolism, andmuscle frailty.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a GR modulator compoundhaving the formula:

In Formula (I), m and n are integers independently selected from 0 to 2.X¹ and X² are independently selected from O and S.

Z is selected from C and N. If Z is N, however, then R² is absent.

R¹ is selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

R² is selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, —CN, —OR^(2A),-L^(2A)-C(O)R^(2B), and -L^(2B)-S(O)₂R^(2C). L^(2A) and L^(2B) areindependently selected from a bond and —NH—.

R^(2A) is a member selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl. R^(2B) and R^(2C) are independently selected from hydrogen,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl,substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, —NR^(2D)R^(2E), and —OR^(2F).

R^(2D), R^(2E), and R^(2F) are independently selected from hydrogen,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, andsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

R³ is selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl. In anexemplary embodiment, R³ is selected from substituted or unsubstitutedarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted cycloalkyl-alkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl.

R⁴ is selected from hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. Inan exemplary embodiment, where R⁴ is methyl, -L¹-R¹ is not benzyl or—C(O)—O—CH₂—CH₃. In another exemplary embodiment, R⁴ is selected fromhydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₂₀ alkyl. R⁴ may also beselected from hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted higher alkyl.

L¹ is selected from a bond, —O—, —S—, —SO₂—, —C(O)N—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)—,—NR^(1A)—, substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkylene. R^(1A) is selected from substituted orunsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl.

In an exemplary embodiment, each substituted group described above inthe compound of Formula (I) is substituted with at least one substituentgroup. The term “substituent group,” as used herein, is defined indetail above in the “Abbreviations and Definitions” section. Morespecifically, in some embodiments, each substituted alkyl, substitutedheteroalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl,substituted aryl, substituted heteroaryl, substituted alkylene,substituted heteroalkylene, substituted arylalkyl, substitutedheteroarylalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl-alkyl, and/or substitutedheterocycloalkyl-alkyl described above in the compound of Formula (I)are substituted with at least one substituent group. In otherembodiments, at least one or all of these groups are substituted with atleast one size-limited group. Alternatively, at least one or all ofthese groups are substituted with at least one lower substituent group.Size-limited groups and lower substituent groups are both defined indetail above in the “Abbreviations and Definitions” section.

In other exemplary embodiments, each substituted or unsubstituted alkylis a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 20membered heteroalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₄-C₈ cycloalkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 4 to 8membered heterocycloalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted alkylene isa substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkylene, each substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkylene is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 20membered heteroalkylene, each substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl isa substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ arylalkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heteroarylalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀heteroarylalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl-alkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ cycloalkyl-alkyl, and/or eachsubstituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl-alkyl is a substituted orunsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ heterocycloalkyl-alkyl.

Alternatively, each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl is a substitutedor unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, each substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 8 memberedheteroalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 5 to 7membered heterocycloalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted alkylene isa substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkylene, each substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkylene is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 8membered heteroalkylene, each substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl isa substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ arylalkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heteroarylalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈heteroarylalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl-alkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ cycloalkyl-alkyl, and/or eachsubstituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl-alkyl is a substituted orunsubstituted C₁-C₈ heterocycloalkyl-alkyl.

In some embodiments, n is 0 and m is 2. Alternatively, m and n are both1 and Z is N. X¹ and X² may both be O. In some embodiments, where Z isN, L¹ is not O or S.

R¹ may be selected from unsubstituted aryl, and aryl substituted with alower substituent. R¹ may also be selected from unsubstituted phenyl,and phenyl substituted with a lower substituent. In some embodiments, R¹is unsubstituted aryl. Alternatively, R¹ is unsubstituted phenyl.

R² may be selected from hydrogen, —CN, —OH, unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl,and unsubstituted 2 to 20 membered heteroalkyl. R² may be selected fromhydrogen, —CN, —OH, unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, and unsubstituted 2 to 8membered heteroalkyl.

R³ may be selected from unsubstituted C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted 5to 7 membered heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl, unsubstitutedheteroaryl, C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl substituted with a lower substituent, 5 to7 membered heterocycloalkyl substituted with a lower substituent, arylsubstituted with a lower substituent, and heteroaryl substituted with alower substituent. R³ may also be selected from a C₁-C₅ alkyl an a 2 to5 membered heteroalkyl; both substituted with a substituent selectedfrom an unsubstituted aryl, and an aryl substituted with a lowersubstituent. Alternatively, R³ is selected from unsubstituted benzyl andbenzyl substituted with a lower substituent.

R⁴ may be selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl, and C₁-C₅alkyl substituted with a lower substituent. R⁴ may also be selected fromhydrogen, and unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl. In some embodiments, R⁴ ishydrogen.

In an exemplary embodiment, L¹ is selected from a bond, —O—, —S—, —SO₂—,—C(O)N—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)—, unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkylene, andunsubstituted 2 to 20 membered heteroalkylene.

In another embodiment, the compound of the present invention has theformula

In Formula (II), R^(3A) and R^(1B) are independently selected fromhalogen, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, —CN, —CF₃,—OR⁵, —SR⁶, —NR⁷R⁸, -L³—C(O)R⁹, and -L⁴-S(O)₂R¹⁰. L³ and L⁴ areindependently selected from a bond and —NH—.

R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are independently selected from hydrogen, substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl. R⁷ and R⁸ may be optionally joined to form aring with the nitrogen to which they are attached.

R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected from hydrogen, substituted orunsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl, and —NR¹¹R¹². R¹¹ and R¹² are independentlyselected from the hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedcycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

In an exemplary embodiment, each substituted group described above inthe compound of Formula (II) is substituted with at least onesubstituent group. More specifically, in some embodiments, eachsubstituted alkyl, substituted heteroalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,substituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted aryl, substituted heteroaryl,substituted alkylene, and/or substituted heteroalkylene, described abovein the compound of Formula (II) are substituted with at least onesubstituent group. In other embodiments, at least one or all of thesegroups are substituted with at least one size-limited group.Alternatively, at least one or all of these groups are substituted withat least one lower substituent group.

In other exemplary embodiments of the compound of Formula (II), eachsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl is a substituted or unsubstitutedC₁-C₂₀ alkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted 2 to 20 membered heteroalkyl, eachsubstituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl is a substituted orunsubstituted C₄-C₈ cycloalkyl, each substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 4 to 8 memberedheterocycloalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted alkylene is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkylene, and/or each substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkylene is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 20membered heteroalkylene.

Alternatively, each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl is a substitutedor unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, each substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 8 memberedheteroalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl is asubstituted or unsubstituted C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl, each substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl is a substituted or unsubstituted 5 to 7membered heterocycloalkyl, each substituted or unsubstituted alkylene isa substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkylene, and/or each substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkylene is a substituted or unsubstituted 2 to 8membered heteroalkylene.

II. Exemplary Syntheses

The compounds of the invention are synthesized by an appropriatecombination of generally well known synthetic methods. Techniques usefulin synthesizing the compounds of the invention are both readily apparentand accessible to those of skill in the relevant art. The discussionbelow is offered to illustrate certain of the diverse methods availablefor use in assembling the compounds of the invention. However, thediscussion is not intended to define the scope of reactions or reactionsequences that are useful in preparing the compounds of the presentinvention.

In Scheme I, L¹, R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined above in thediscussion of the compounds of the present invention. R′, and R″ areindependently methyl or ethyl. R′″ and R″″ are independently substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl, or may be joined with the nitrogen to whichthey are attached to form a substituted or unsubstituted ring (e.g.substituted or unsubstituted piperidinyl or substituted or unsubstitutedpiperizinyl).

Compound 2 may be prepared from compound 1 (Scheme I) by alkylation witha suitable alkylating agent (such as an alkyl halide or benzyl halide)in the presence of a base (e.g. sodium hydride in a non-protic solvent,such as THF), at a temperature between 0° C. and the boiling point ofthe solvent. Alternatively, when R³ is an aryl group, compound 2 may beprepared through a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of theappropriate aryl halides with a malonate ester (Beare, N. A.; Hartwig,J. F. J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67, 541-555). Additionally, compound 2 iswell-known and may be prepared from a variety of methods familiar tothose skilled in the art.

Compound 3 may be prepared from compounds 2 by treatment with a suitablymonosubstituted urea. The reaction is generally conducted in a polarsolvent (e.g. an alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, ordimethylformamide) and optionally in the presence of a base (e.g. ametal alkoxide, such as sodium methoxide). The reaction is generallycarried out at a temperature between ambient temperature and the refluxtemperature of the solvent, preferably at the reflux temperature.

Compound 4 may be prepared from compound 3 by treatment with a suitablechlorinating agent (e.g. a phosphorus or sulphur halide in a suitableoxidation state such as thionyl chloride, phosphorous pentachloride, orpreferably phosphorous oxychloride). When the reaction is carried outwith phosphorus oxychloride, the addition of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) orbenzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTEAC) may be beneficial.

Compound 5 may be prepared from compound 4 by treatment with a suitablysubstituted amine. The reaction is carried out in the presence of asolvent such as dimethylformamide, or an alcohol (e.g. 1-butanol), inthe presence of a base (e.g. sodium acetate or a tertiary amine base,such as diisopropylethylamine). The reaction is generally carried out atthe reflux temperature of the solvent. Additionally, the reaction can becarried out under microwave conditions in a sealed vessel, in which casethe reaction may be performed at temperatures higher than the boilingpoint of the solvent at atmospheric pressure (for example, 160° C. for1-butanol and 200° C. in the case of dimethylformamide). The aminesNH(R′″)(R″″) are generally known compounds and may be prepared fromcompounds according to known methods familiar to those skilled in theart.

In Scheme II, R¹, R³, and R⁴ are as defined above in the discussion ofthe compounds of the present invention.

Compounds 7, 8 and 9 may be prepared from compound 6 by reaction with asuitable electrophile (Scheme II). Thus, reaction of compound 6 with anacid chloride, optionally in the presence of a base (e.g.diisopropylethylamine) in an inert solvent (e.g. dichloromethane),yields amide 7. In a similar fashion, treatment of compound 6 with asulfonyl halide (e.g. sulfonyl chloride) optionally in the presence of abase (e.g. a tertiary amine such as diisopropylethylamine), in an inertsolvent such as dichloromethane, yields sulfonamide 8. The reaction ofcompound 6 with an isocyanate in a suitable solvent inert to thereagents, provides the urea of formula 9.

III. Assays and Methods for Modulating Glucocorticoid Receptor Activity

The compounds of the present invention can be tested for theirantiglucocorticoid properties. Methods of assaying compounds capable ofmodulating glucocorticoid receptor activity are presented herein.Typically, compounds of the current invention are capable of modulatingglucocorticoid receptor activity by selectively binding to the GR or bypreventing GR ligands from binding to the GR. In some embodiments, thecompounds exhibit little or no cytotoxic effect. Therefore, exemplaryassays disclosed herein may test the ability of compounds to (1) tightlybind to the GR; (2) selectively bind to the GR; (3) prevent GR ligandsfrom binding to the GR; (4) modulate the activity of the GR in acellular system; and/or (5) exhibit non-cytotoxic effects.

A. Binding Assays

In some embodiments, GR modulators are identified by screening formolecules that compete with a ligand of GR, such as dexamethasone. Thoseof skill in the art will recognize that there are a number of ways toperform competitive binding assays. In some embodiments, GR ispre-incubated with a labeled GR ligand and then contacted with a testcompound. This type of competitive binding assay may also be referred toherein as a binding displacement assay. Alteration (e.g., a decrease) ofthe quantity of ligand bound to GR indicates that the molecule is apotential GR modulator. Alternatively, the binding of a test compound toGR can be measured directly with a labeled test compound. This lattertype of assay is called a direct binding assay.

Both direct binding assays and competitive binding assays can be used ina variety of different formats. The formats may be similar to those usedin immunoassays and receptor binding assays. For a description ofdifferent formats for binding assays, including competitive bindingassays and direct binding assays, see Basic and Clinical Immunology 7thEdition (D. Stites and A. Terr ed.) 1991; Enzyme Immunoassay, E. T.Maggio, ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1980); and “Practice andTheory of Enzyme Immunoassays,” P. Tijssen, Laboratory Techniques inBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.Amsterdam (1985), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In solid phase competitive binding assays, for example, the samplecompound can compete with a labeled analyte for specific binding siteson a binding agent bound to a solid surface. In this type of format, thelabeled analyte can be a GR ligand and the binding agent can be GR boundto a solid phase. Alternatively, the labeled analyte can be labeled GRand the binding agent can be a solid phase GR ligand. The concentrationof labeled analyte bound to the capture agent is inversely proportionalto the ability of a test compound to compete in the binding assay.

Alternatively, the competitive binding assay may be conducted in liquidphase, and any of a variety of techniques known in the art may be usedto separate the bound labeled protein from the unbound labeled protein.For example, several procedures have been developed for distinguishingbetween bound ligand and excess bound ligand or between bound testcompound and the excess unbound test compound. These includeidentification of the bound complex by sedimentation in sucrosegradients, gel electrophoresis, or gel isoelectric focusing;precipitation of the receptor-ligand complex with protamine sulfate oradsorption on hydroxylapatite; and the removal of unbound compounds orligands by adsorption on dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) or binding toimmobilized antibody. Following separation, the amount of bound ligandor test compound is determined.

Alternatively, a homogenous binding assay may be performed in which aseparation step is not needed. For example, a label on the GR may bealtered by the binding of the GR to its ligand or test compound. Thisalteration in the labeled GR results in a decrease or increase in thesignal emitted by label, so that measurement of the label at the end ofthe binding assay allows for detection or quantitation of the GR in thebound state. A wide variety of labels may be used. The component may belabeled by any one of several methods. Useful radioactive labels includethose incorporating ³H, ¹²⁵I, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, or ³²P. Useful non-radioactivelabels include those incorporating fluorophores, chemiluminescentagents, phosphorescent agents, electrochemiluminescent agents, and thelike. Fluorescent agents are especially useful in analytical techniquesthat are used to detect shifts in protein structure such as fluorescenceanisotropy and/or fluorescence polarization. The choice of label dependson sensitivity required, ease of conjugation with the compound,stability requirements, and available instrumentation. For a review ofvarious labeling or signal producing systems which may be used, see U.S.Pat. No. 4,391,904, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety for all purposes. The label may be coupled directly orindirectly to the desired component of the assay according to methodswell known in the art.

For competitive binding assays, the amount of inhibition may bedetermined using the techniques disclosed herein. The amount ofinhibition of ligand binding by a test compound depends on the assayconditions and on the concentrations of ligand, labeled analyte, andtest compound that are used. In an exemplary embodiment, a compound issaid to be capable of inhibiting the binding of a GR ligand to a GR in acompetitive binding assay if the inhibition constant (K_(i)) is lessthan 5 μM using the assay conditions presented in Example 5. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a compound is said to be capable of inhibiting thebinding of a GR ligand to a GR in a competitive binding assay if theK_(i) is less than 1 μM using the assay conditions presented in Example5. In another exemplary embodiment, a compound is said to be capable ofinhibiting the binding of a GR ligand to a GR in a competitive bindingassay if the K_(i) is less than 100 nM using the assay conditionspresented in Example 5. In another exemplary embodiment, a compound issaid to be capable of inhibiting the binding of a GR ligand to a GR in acompetitive binding assay if the K_(i) is less than 10 nM using theassay conditions presented in Example 5. In another exemplaryembodiment, a compound is said to be capable of inhibiting the bindingof a GR ligand to a GR in a competitive binding assay if the K_(i) isless than 1 nM using the assay conditions presented in Example 5. Inanother exemplary embodiment, a compound is said to be capable ofinhibiting the binding of a GR ligand to a GR in a competitive bindingassay if the K_(i) is less than 100 pM using the assay conditionspresented in Example 5. In another exemplary embodiment, a compound issaid to be capable of inhibiting the binding of a GR ligand to a GR in acompetitive binding assay if the K_(i) is less than 10 pM using theassay conditions presented in Example 5.

High-throughput screening methods may be used to assay a large number ofpotential modulator compounds. Such “compound libraries” are thenscreened in one or more assays, as described herein, to identify thoselibrary members (particular chemical species or subclasses) that displaya desired characteristic activity. Preparation and screening of chemicallibraries is well known to those of skill in the art. Devices for thepreparation of chemical libraries are commercially available (see, e.g.,357 MPS, 390 MPS, Advanced Chem Tech, Louisville Ky., Symphony, Rainin,Woburn, Mass., 433A Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., 9050 Plus,Millipore, Bedford, Mass.).

B. Cell-Based Assays

Cell-based assays involve whole cells or cell fractions containing GR toassay for binding or modulation of activity of GR by a compound of thepresent invention. Exemplary cell types that can be used according tothe methods of the invention include, e.g., any mammalian cellsincluding leukocytes such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages,eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, and lymphocytes, such as T cells andB cells, leukemias, Burkitt's lymphomas, tumor cells (including mousemammary tumor virus cells), endothelial cells, fibroblasts, cardiaccells, muscle cells, breast tumor cells, ovarian cancer carcinomas,cervical carcinomas, glioblastomas, liver cells, kidney cells, andneuronal cells, as well as fungal cells, including yeast. Cells can beprimary cells or tumor cells or other types of immortal cell lines. Ofcourse, GR can be expressed in cells that do not express an endogenousversion of GR.

In some cases, fragments of GR, as well as protein fusions, can be usedfor screening. When molecules that compete for binding with GR ligandsare desired, the GR fragments used are fragments capable of binding theligands (e.g., dexamethasone). Alternatively, any fragment of GR can beused as a target to identify molecules that bind GR. GR fragments caninclude any fragment of, e.g., at least 20, 30, 40, 50 amino acids up toa protein containing all but one amino acid of GR. Typically,ligand-binding fragments will comprise transmembrane regions and/or mostor all of the extracellular domains of GR.

In some embodiments, signaling triggered by GR activation is used toidentify GR modulators. Signaling activity of GR can be determined inmany ways. For example, downstream molecular events can be monitored todetermine signaling activity. Downstream events include those activitiesor manifestations that occur as a result of stimulation of a GRreceptor. Exemplary downstream events useful in the functionalevaluation of transcriptional activation and antagonism in unalteredcells include upregulation of a number of glucocorticoid responseelement (GRE)-dependent genes (PEPCK, tyrosine amino transferase,aromatase). In addition, specific cell types susceptible to GRactivation may be used, such as osteocalcin expression in osteoblastswhich is downregulated by glucocorticoids; primary hepatocytes whichexhibit glucocorticoid mediated upregulation of PEPCK andglucose-6-phosphate (G-6-Pase)). GRE-mediated gene expression has alsobeen demonstrated in transfected cell lines using well-knownGRE-regulated sequences (e.g. the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter(MMTV) transfected upstream of a reporter gene construct). Examples ofuseful reporter gene constructs include luciferase (luc), alkalinephosphatase (ALP) and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT). Thefunctional evaluation of transcriptional repression can be carried outin cell lines such as monocytes or human skin fibroblasts. Usefulfunctional assays include those that measure IL-1 beta stimulated IL-6expression; the downregulation of collagenase, cyclooxygenase-2 andvarious chemokines (MCP-1, RANTES); or expression of genes regulated byNFkB or AP-1 transcription factors in transfected cell-lines. An exampleof a cell-based assay measuring gene transcription is presented inExample 6.

Typically, compounds that are tested in whole-cell assays are alsotested in a cytotoxicity assay. Cytotoxicity assays are used todetermine the extent to which a perceived modulating effect is due tonon-GR binding cellular effects. In an exemplary embodiment, thecytotoxicity assay includes contacting a constitutively active cell withthe test compound. Any decrease in cellular activity indicates acytotoxic effect. An exemplary cytotoxicity assay is presented inExample 8.

C. Specificity

The compounds of the present invention may be subject to a specificityassay (also referred to herein as a selectivity assay). Typically,specificity assays include testing a compound that binds GR in vitro orin a cell-based assay for the degree of binding to non-GR proteins.Selectivity assays may be performed in vitro or in cell based systems,as described above. GR binding may be tested against any appropriatenon-GR protein, including antibodies, receptors, enzymes, and the like.In an exemplary embodiment, the non-GR binding protein is a cell-surfacereceptor or nuclear receptor. In another exemplary embodiment, thenon-GR protein is a steroid receptor, such as estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, or mineralocorticoid receptor.An exemplary specificity assay is presented in Example 7.

D. Methods of Modulating GR Activity

In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of modulatingglucocorticoid receptor activity using the techniques described above.In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes contacting a GR with acompound of the present invention, such as the compound of Formula (I),and detecting a change in GR activity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the GR modulator is an antagonist of GRactivity (also referred to herein as “a glucocorticoid receptorantagonist”). A glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, as used herein,refers to any composition or compound which partially or completelyinhibits (antagonizes) the binding of a glucocorticoid receptor (GR)agonist (e.g. cortisol and synthetic or natural cortisol analog) to a GRthereby inhibiting any biological response associated with the bindingof a GR to the agonist.

In a related embodiment, the GR modulator is a specific glucocorticoidreceptor antagonist. As used herein, a specific glucocorticoid receptorantagonist refers to any composition or compound which inhibits anybiological response associated with the binding of a GR to an agonist bypreferentially binding to the GR rather than another nuclear receptor(NR). In some embodiments, the specific glucocorticoid receptorantagonist binds preferentially to GR rather than the mineralocorticoidreceptor (MR) or progesterone receptor (PR). In an exemplary embodiment,the specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist binds preferentially toGR rather than the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). In another exemplaryembodiment, the specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist bindspreferentially to GR rather than the progesterone receptor (PR).

In a related embodiment, the specific glucocorticoid receptor antagonistbinds to the GR with an association constant (K_(d)) that is at least10-fold less than the K_(d) for the NR. In another embodiment, thespecific glucocorticoid receptor antagonist binds to the GR with anassociation constant (K_(d)) that is at least 100-fold less than theK_(d) for the NR. In another embodiment, the specific glucocorticoidreceptor antagonist binds to the GR with an association constant (K_(d))that is at least 1000-fold less than the K_(d) for the NR.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method oftreating a disorder or condition. The method includes modulating aglucocorticoid receptor by administering to a subject in need of suchtreatment, an effective amount of a compound of the present invention.

Methods of treating a disorder or condition through antagonizing aglucocorticoid receptor are also provided. The method includesadministering to a subject in need of such treatment, an effectiveamount of a compound of the present invention.

In other embodiments, a method of modulating a glucocorticoid receptoris provided. The method includes the steps of contacting aglucocorticoid receptor with a compound of the present invention anddetecting a change in the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor.

IV. Pharmaceutical Compositions of Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulators

In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceuticalcompositions. The pharmaceutical composition includes a pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipient and a compound of having the formula:

Where a pharmaceutical composition includes a compound of Formula (I),n, m, Z, X¹, X², L¹, R¹, R², and R⁴ are as defined above in thediscussion of the compounds of the present invention. R³ is also asdefined above, with the exception that R³ is selected from substitutedor unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstitutedheteroarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl-alkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl-alkyl, substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted orunsubstituted aryl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes apharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a compound of having theformula:

In Formula (II), n, m, R^(3A), and R^(1B) is as defined above in thediscussion of the compounds of the present invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein are typically used totreat a disorder or condition through modulating a glucocorticoidreceptor in a subject in need of such treatment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes from1 to 2000 milligrams of the compound of Formula (I) or (II). In someembodiments, the pharmaceutical composition includes from 1 to 1500milligrams of the compound of Formulae or (II). In other embodiments,the pharmaceutical composition includes from 1 to 1000 milligrams of thecompound of Formulae (I) or (II).

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared and administeredin a wide variety of oral, parenteral and topical dosage forms. Oralpreparations include tablets, pills, powder, dragees, capsules, liquids,lozenges, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, etc., suitable foringestion by the patient. The compounds of the present invention canalso be administered by injection, that is, intravenously,intramuscularly, intracutaneously, subcutaneously, intraduodenally, orintraperitoneally. Also, the compounds described herein can beadministered by inhalation, for example, intranasally. Additionally, thecompounds of the present invention can be administered transdermally.The GR modulators of this invention can also be administered by inintraocular, intravaginal, and intrarectal routes includingsuppositories, insufflation, powders and aerosol formulations (forexamples of steroid inhalants, see Rohatagi, J. Clin. Pharmacol.35:1187-1193, 1995; Tjwa, Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 75:107-111,1995). Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions described herein may beadapted for oral administration. In some embodiments, the pharmaceuticalcomposition is in the form of a tablet. Moreover, the present inventionprovides pharmaceutical compositions including a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or excipient and either a compound of Formulae (I) or(II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of Formulae(I) or (II).

For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds of thepresent invention, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be eithersolid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets,pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible granules. Asolid carrier can be one or more substances, which may also act asdiluents, flavoring agents, binders, preservatives, tabletdisintegrating agents, or an encapsulating material. Details ontechniques for formulation and administration are well described in thescientific and patent literature, see, e.g., the latest edition ofRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Maack Publishing Co, Easton Pa.(“Remington's”).

In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is in a mixturewith the finely divided active component. In tablets, the activecomponent is mixed with the carrier having the necessary bindingproperties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and sizedesired.

The powders and tablets preferably contain from 5% or 10% to 70% of theactive compound. Suitable carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesiumstearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin,tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a lowmelting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The term “preparation” isintended to include the formulation of the active compound withencapsulating material as a carrier providing a capsule in which theactive component with or without other carriers, is surrounded by acarrier, which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets andlozenges are included. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, andlozenges can be used as solid dosage forms suitable for oraladministration.

Suitable solid excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers include,but are not limited to sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, orsorbitol; starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants;cellulose such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, orsodium carboxymethylcellulose; and gums including arabic and tragacanth;as well as proteins such as gelatin and collagen. If desired,disintegrating or solubilizing agents may be added, such as thecross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid, or a saltthereof, such as sodium alginate.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings such as concentratedsugar solutions, which may also contain gum arabic, talc,polyvinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titaniumdioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solventmixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or drageecoatings for product identification or to characterize the quantity ofactive compound (i.e., dosage). Pharmaceutical preparations of theinvention can also be used orally using, for example, push-fit capsulesmade of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and acoating such as glycerol or sorbitol. Push-fit capsules can contain GRmodulator mixed with a filler or binders such as lactose or starches,lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally,stabilizers. In soft capsules, the GR modulator compounds may bedissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquidparaffin, or liquid polyethylene glycol with or without stabilizers.

For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax, such as a mixture offatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter, is first melted and the activecomponent is dispersed homogeneously therein, as by stirring. The moltenhomogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds, allowedto cool, and thereby to solidify.

Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions,for example, water or water/propylene glycol solutions. For parenteralinjection, liquid preparations can be formulated in solution in aqueouspolyethylene glycol solution.

Aqueous solutions suitable for oral use can be prepared by dissolvingthe active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavors,stabilizers, and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous suspensionssuitable for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely dividedactive component in water with viscous material, such as natural orsynthetic gums, resins, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gumtragacanth and gum acacia, and dispersing or wetting agents such as anaturally occurring phosphatide (e.g., lecithin), a condensation productof an alkylene oxide with a fatty acid (e.g., polyoxyethylene stearate),a condensation product of ethylene oxide with a long chain aliphaticalcohol (e.g., heptadecaethylene oxycetanol), a condensation product ofethylene oxide with a partial ester derived from a fatty acid and ahexitol (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitol mono-oleate), or a condensationproduct of ethylene oxide with a partial ester derived from fatty acidand a hexitol anhydride (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate).The aqueous suspension can also contain one or more preservatives suchas ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, oneor more flavoring agents and one or more sweetening agents, such assucrose, aspartame or saccharin. Formulations can be adjusted forosmolarity.

Also included are solid form preparations, which are intended to beconverted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations for oraladministration. Such liquid forms include solutions, suspensions, andemulsions. These preparations may contain, in addition to the activecomponent, colorants, flavors, stabilizers, buffers, artificial andnatural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilizing agents, andthe like.

Oil suspensions can be formulated by suspending a GR modulator in avegetable oil, such as arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconutoil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin; or a mixture of these.The oil suspensions can contain a thickening agent, such as beeswax,hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents can be added toprovide a palatable oral preparation, such as glycerol, sorbitol orsucrose. These formulations can be preserved by the addition of anantioxidant such as ascorbic acid. As an example of an injectable oilvehicle, see Minto, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 281:93-102, 1997. Thepharmaceutical formulations of the invention can also be in the form ofoil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase can be a vegetable oil or amineral oil, described above, or a mixture of these. Suitableemulsifying agents include naturally-occurring gums, such as gum acaciaand gum tragacanth, naturally occurring phosphatides, such as soybeanlecithin, esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitolanhydrides, such as sorbitan mono-oleate, and condensation products ofthese partial esters with ethylene oxide, such as polyoxyethylenesorbitan mono-oleate. The emulsion can also contain sweetening agentsand flavoring agents, as in the formulation of syrups and elixirs. Suchformulations can also contain a demulcent, a preservative, or a coloringagent.

The GR modulators of the invention can be delivered by transdermally, bya topical route, formulated as applicator sticks, solutions,suspensions, emulsions, gels, creams, ointments, pastes, jellies,paints, powders, and aerosols.

The GR modulators of the invention can also be delivered as microspheresfor slow release in the body. For example, microspheres can beadministered via intradermal injection of drug-containing microspheres,which slowly release subcutaneously (see Rao, J. Biomater Sci. Polym.Ed. 7:623-645, 1995; as biodegradable and injectable gel formulations(see, e.g., Gao Pharm. Res. 12:857-863, 1995); or, as microspheres fororal administration (see, e.g., Eyles, J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 49:669-674,1997). Both transdermal and intradermal routes afford constant deliveryfor weeks or months.

The GR modulator pharmaceutical formulations of the invention can beprovided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but notlimited to hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic,succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or otherprotonic solvents that are the corresponding free base forms. In othercases, the preparation may be a lyophilized powder in 1 mM-50 mMhistidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, 2%-7% mannitol at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5,that is combined with buffer prior to use

In another embodiment, the GR modulator formulations of the inventionare useful for parenteral administration, such as intravenous (IV)administration or administration into a body cavity or lumen of anorgan. The formulations for administration will commonly comprise asolution of the GR modulator dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that can be employedare water and Ringer's solution, an isotonic sodium chloride. Inaddition, sterile fixed oils can conventionally be employed as a solventor suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can beemployed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid can likewise be used in the preparation ofinjectables. These solutions are sterile and generally free ofundesirable matter. These formulations may be sterilized byconventional, well known sterilization techniques. The formulations maycontain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required toapproximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and bufferingagents, toxicity adjusting agents, e.g., sodium acetate, sodiumchloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium lactate and thelike. The concentration of GR modulator in these formulations can varywidely, and will be selected primarily based on fluid volumes,viscosities, body weight, and the like, in accordance with theparticular mode of administration selected and the patient's needs. ForIV administration, the formulation can be a sterile injectablepreparation, such as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginoussuspension. This suspension can be formulated according to the known artusing those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents.The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterile injectablesolution or suspension in a nontoxic parenterally-acceptable diluent orsolvent, such as a solution of 1,3-butanediol.

In another embodiment, the GR modulator formulations of the inventioncan be delivered by the use of liposomes which fuse with the cellularmembrane or are endocytosed, i.e., by employing ligands attached to theliposome, or attached directly to the oligonucleotide, that bind tosurface membrane protein receptors of the cell resulting in endocytosis.By using liposomes, particularly where the liposome surface carriesligands specific for target cells, or are otherwise preferentiallydirected to a specific organ, one can focus the delivery of the GRmodulator into the target cells in vivo. (See, e.g., Al-Muhammed, J.Microencapsul. 13:293-306, 1996; Chonn, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol.6:698-708, 1995; Ostro, Am. J. Hosp. Pharm. 46:1576-1587, 1989).

The pharmaceutical preparation is preferably in unit dosage form. Insuch form the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containingappropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form canbe a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities ofpreparation, such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials orampoules. Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet,or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of thesein packaged form.

The quantity of active component in a unit dose preparation may bevaried or adjusted from 0.1 mg to 10000 mg, more typically 1.0 mg to1000 mg, most typically 10 mg to 500 mg, according to the particularapplication and the potency of the active component. The compositioncan, if desired, also contain other compatible therapeutic agents.

V. Methods for Treating Conditions Mediated by Glucocorticoid Receptors

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for thetreatment of a disorder or condition through modulation of aglucocorticoid receptor. In this method, a subject in need of suchtreatment is administered an effective amount of a compound having oneof the formulae provided above. The amount is effective in modulatingthe glucocorticoid receptor.

A variety of disease sates are capable of being treated withglucocorticoid receptor modulators. Exemplary disease states includemajor psychotic depression, mild cognitive impairment, psychosis,dementia, hyperglycemia, stress disorders, antipsychotic induced weightgain, delirium, cognitive impairment in depressed patients, cognitivedeterioration in individuals with Down's syndrome, psychosis associatedwith interferon-alpha therapy, chronic pain (e.g. pain associate withgastroesophageal reflux disease), postpartum psychosis, postpartumdepression, neurological disorders in premature infants, migraineheadaches, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension,Syndrome X, depression, anxiety, glaucoma, human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), neurodegeneration(e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease), cognitionenhancement, Cushing's Syndrome, Addison's Disease, osteoporosis,frailty, inflammatory diseases (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoidarthritis, asthma and rhinitis), adrenal function-related ailments,viral infection, immunodeficiency, immunomodulation, autoimmunediseases, allergies, wound healing, compulsive behavior, multi-drugresistance, addiction, psychosis, anorexia, cachexia, post-traumaticstress syndrome post-surgical bone fracture, medical catabolism, andmuscle frailty. The methods of treatment includes administering to apatient in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount ofa compound according to Formulae (I) or (II), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides amethod of treating a disorder or condition through modulating a GR, themethod including administering to a subject in need of such treatment,an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, such as acompound of Formulae (I) or (II).

The amount of GR modulator adequate to treat a disease throughmodulating the GR is defined as a “therapeutically effective dose”. Thedosage schedule and amounts effective for this use, i.e., the “dosingregimen,” will depend upon a variety of factors, including the stage ofthe disease or condition, the severity of the disease or condition, thegeneral state of the patient's health, the patient's physical status,age and the like. In calculating the dosage regimen for a patient, themode of administration also is taken into consideration.

The dosage regimen also takes into consideration pharmacokineticsparameters well known in the art, i.e., the rate of absorption,bioavailability, metabolism, clearance, and the like (see, e.g.,Hidalgo-Aragones (1996) J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 58:611-617;Groning (1996) Pharmazie 51:337-341; Fotherby (1996) Contraception54:59-69; Johnson (1995) J. Pharm. Sci. 84:1144-1146; Rohatagi (1995)Pharmazie 50:610-613; Brophy (1983) Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 24:103-108;the latest Remington's, supra). The state of the art allows theclinician to determine the dosage regimen for each individual patient,GR modulator and disease or condition treated.

Single or multiple administrations of GR modulator formulations can beadministered depending on the dosage and frequency as required andtolerated by the patient. The formulations should provide a sufficientquantity of active agent to effectively treat the disease state. Thus,in one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulations for oraladministration of GR modulator is in a daily amount of between about 0.5to about 20 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. In an alternativeembodiment, dosages are from about 1 mg to about 4 mg per kg of bodyweight per patient per day are used. Lower dosages can be used,particularly when the drug is administered to an anatomically secludedsite, such as the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) space, in contrast toadministration orally, into the blood stream, into a body cavity or intoa lumen of an organ. Substantially higher dosages can be used in topicaladministration. Actual methods for preparing parenterally administrableGR modulator formulations will be known or apparent to those skilled inthe art and are described in more detail in such publications asRemington's, supra. See also Nieman, In “Receptor Mediated AntisteroidAction,” Agarwal, et al., eds., De Gruyter, New York (1987).

After a pharmaceutical composition including a GR modulator of theinvention has been formulated in an acceptable carrier, it can be placedin an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicatedcondition. For administration of GR modulators, such labeling wouldinclude, e.g., instructions concerning the amount, frequency and methodof administration. In one embodiment, the invention provides for a kitfor the treatment of delirium in a human which includes a GR modulatorand instructional material teaching the indications, dosage and scheduleof administration of the GR modulator.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention inthe use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of thefeatures shown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed. Moreover, any one or more features of any embodimentof the invention may be combined with any one or more other features ofany other embodiment of the invention, without departing from the scopeof the invention. For example, the features of the GR modulatorcompounds are equally applicable to the methods of treating diseasestates described herein. All publications, patents, and patentapplications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

VI. EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided solely to illustrate the presentinvention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, asdescribed herein.

High Pressure Liquid Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) experimentsto determine retention times (RT) and associated mass ions wereperformed using one of the following methods. Solvent A is water andsolvent B is acetonitrile.

Method A: Experiments performed on a Micromass Platform LC spectrometerwith positive and negative ion electrospray and ELS/Diode arraydetection using a Phenomenex Luna C18(2) 30×4.6 mm column and a 2mL/minute flow rate. The solvent system was 95% solvent A and 5% solventB for the first 0.50 minutes followed by a gradient up to 5% solvent Aand 95% solvent B over the next 4 minutes. The final solvent system washeld constant for a further 0.50 minutes.

Method B: Experiments performed on a Micromass Platform LCT spectrometerwith positive ion electrospray and single wavelength UV 254 nm detectionusing a Higgins Clipeus C18 5 μm 100×3.0 mm column and a 2 mL/minuteflow rate. The initial solvent system was 95% water containing 0.1%formic acid (solvent A) and 5% acetonitrile containing 0.1% formic acid(solvent B) for the first minute followed by a gradient up to 5% solventA and 95% solvent B over the next 14 minutes. The final solvent systemwas held constant for a further 2 minutes.

Example 1 2-(3-Chlorobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound; 2; R′and R″=Et, R³=3-chlorobenzyl)

To a suspension of sodium hydride 95.24 g, 0.131 mmol of a 60%dispersion in mineral oil) in THF at 0° C. was added diethyl malonate(20.0 g; 0.125 mmol) dropwise. The contents were warmed to ambienttemperature and 3-chlorobenzyl chloride (21.1 g, 0.131 mmol) added. Thecontents were heated to reflux for 18 hrs, cooled and concentrated invacuo. The solid residue thus obtained was dissolved in water andextracted with diethyl ether, the organics washed with brine, dried(MgSO₄) and concentrated to give a colourless oil. Flash columnchromatography on silica gel with 5% diethyl ether in cyclohexane gavethe product as a colourless oil, 20.0 g. LC-MS: 3.78 mins, 285 (M+H)⁺.

Also prepared by this method were the following compounds:

2-Phenethylmalonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=phenethyl)

2-Pyridin-4-ylmethylmalonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ andR″=Et, R³=4-pyridylmethyl)

2-(3-Methoxybenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=3-methoxybenzyl)

2-(3-Bromobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=3-bromobenzyl)

2-(4-Chlorobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=4-chlorobenzyl)

2-(2-Chlorobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=2-chlorobenzyl)

2-(3-Cyanobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=3-cyanobenzyl)

2-(4-Cyanobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″ Et,R³=4-cyanobenzyl)

2-(2-Cyanobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=2-cyanobenzyl)

2-(3-Methoxybenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=3-methoxybenzyl)

2-(3-Nitrobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=3-nitrobenzyl)

2-(2-Nitrobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=2-nitrobenzyl)

2-(4-Nitrobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=4-nitrobenzyl)

2-(4-Methoxybenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=4-methoxybenzyl)

2-(2-Methoxybenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (Compound 2; R′ and R″=Et,R³=2-methoxybenzyl).

Example 2 5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-1-methylpyrimidin-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3;R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=methyl)

Methylurea (1.18 g, 16.0 mmol) and freshly prepared sodium methoxide(1.04 g, 19.2 mmol) were combined in dimethylformamide (15 mL) and asolution of 2-(3-chlorobenzyl)malonic acid diethyl ester (2.85 g, 10.0mmol) in dimethylformamide (5 mL) was added. The reaction temperaturewas raised to 130° C. for 2 hours and then cooled to ambient temperaturebefore water was added and the solution acidified with 2N HCl_(aq). Theresulting solid was filtered then washed with water and the dried toafford the product as a white solid, 840 mg. LC-MS: RT=2.87 mins, 267(M+H)⁺ 265 (M−H)⁻.

Also prepared by this method were the following compounds:

1-Methyl-5-phenethylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³=phenethyl,R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=2.82 mins 247 (M+H)⁺, 245 (M−H)⁻

5-Isobutyl-1-methylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³=isobutyl,R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=2.44 mins 199 (M+H)⁺, 197 (M−H)⁻

1-Benzyl-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=benzyl). LC-MS: RT=3.61 mins 341 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-1-isobutylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=isobutyl). LC-MS: RT=3.55 mins 307 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-1-phenylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=phenyl). LC-MS: RT=3.30 mins 327 (M−H)⁻, 329(M+H)⁺

5-Benzylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³═H, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=1.99mins 219 (M+H)⁺

5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-1-ethylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=ethyl). ¹H NMR (D6-DMSO) 7.56-7.02 (4H, m,aromatic CH), 4.11 (2H, q, CH ₂—CH ₃), 4.04 (1H, t, CHH—CHH₂), 3.19 (2H,d, CH ₂—CH), 1.45 (3H, t, CH₂—CH ₃).

5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-1-phenylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=phenyl). LC-MS: RT=3.30 mins 327 (M−H)⁻, 329(M+H)⁺

5-(2-Chlorobenzyl)-1-methylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=2-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=methyl). ¹H NMR (D6-DMSO) 7.48-6.87 (4H, m,aromatic CH), 4.09 (1H, t, CH—CH₂), 3.26 (2H, d, CH ₂—CH), 3.05 (3H, s,N—CH ₃).

5-(2-Chlorobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=2-chlorobenzyl, R⁴═H). ¹H NMR (D6-DMSO) 7.52-6.94 (4H, m, aromaticCHH), 4.06 (1H, t, CH—CH₂), 3.25 (2H, d, CH ₂—CH).

5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴═H). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 7.31-7.08 (4H, m, aromatic CH),3.71 (1H, t, CH—CH₂), 3.48 (2H, d, CH₂—CH).

5-(4-Chlorobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=4-chlorobenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.48 mins 251 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Bromobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³=3-bromobenzyl,R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.51 mins 297 (M+H)⁻

5-(3-Methoxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=3-methoxybenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.17 mins 249 (M+H)⁺, 247 (M−H)⁻

5-Benzyl-1-methylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³=benzyl,R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=2.51 mins, 231 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Cyanobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³=3-cyanobenzyl,R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.26 mins, 242 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Nitrobenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3, R³=3-nitrobenzyl,R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.42 mins, 262 (M−H)⁻

5-(4-Methoxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=4-methoxybenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.26 mins, no molecular ion seen.

5-(2-Methoxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (Compound 3,R³=2-methoxybenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.42 mins, no molecular ion seen.

Example 3 6-Chloro-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione,(Compound 4, R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=methyl)

5-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-1-methylpyrimidin-2,4,6-trione (760 mg, 2.85 mmol)was dissolved in POCl₃ and to it was added benzyltriethylammoniumchloride (5.70 mmol) at 0° C. After 10 mins the reaction was warmed toambient temperature and then heated at 70° C. for 2 hrs. The contentswere cooled in an ice bath and water carefully added. The precipitatethat formed was removed by filtration, washed with water and dried togive the product as a yellow solid, 160 mg. LC-MS: RT=3.14 mins 283(M−H)⁻

Also prepared by this method were the following compounds:

6-Chloro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=phenyl, R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=2.55 mins 235 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-3-methyl-5-phenethyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=phenethyl, R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=3.05 mins 263 (M−H)⁻

3-Benzyl-6-chloro-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound4, R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=benzyl). LC-MS: RT=3.79 mins 359 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-isobutyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=isobutyl, R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=2.76 mins 215 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound4, R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=phenyl). LC-MS: RT=3.44 mins 345 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-3-isobutyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione.(Compound 4, R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=isobutyl). LC-MS: RT=3.73 mins 325(M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-3-ethyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound4, R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=ethyl). LC-MS: RT=3.35 mins 297 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=2-chlorobenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.76 mins 269 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(2-chlorobenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound4, R³=2-chlorobenzyl, R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=3.08 mins 283 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(3-chlorobenzyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=3-chlorobenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.80 mins 269 (M−H)⁻

6-Chloro-5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=4-chlorobenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.83 mins 269 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Bromobenzyl)-6-Chloro-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=3-bromobenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.83 mins 269 (M−H)⁻

5-Benzyl-6-Chloro-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4, R³=benzyl,R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.56 mins 237 (M+H)⁺, 235 (M−H)⁻

5-Benzyl-6-chloro-3-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=benzyl, R⁴=methyl). LC-MS: RT=2.83 mins 249 (M−H)⁻

5-(3-Methoxybenzyl)-6-chloro-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione. (Compound 4,R³=3-methoxybenzyl, R⁴═H). LC-MS: RT=2.54 mins 266.8 (M−H)⁺

Example 4 5-Benzyl-6-(4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione,(Compound 5, R³=Benzyl, R⁴═H, NR′″R″″=4-phenylpiperidin-1yl)

5-Benzyl-6-chloro-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione (39 mg, 0.166 mmol),4-phenylpiperidine (32.2 mg, 0.20 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (35μl, 0.20 mmol) were dissolved in DMF (0.5 mL) and microwave irradiatedat 200° C. for 1 hour. The contents were cooled, diluted with water thenacidified with 2N HCl and extracted with dichloromethane. The residueswere purified by flash column chromatography using 2.5% MeOH indichloromethane as eluant to give 51 mg of the title compound as ayellow oil, solidifying on standing. LC-MS: RT=3.38 mins 362 (M+H)⁺.

Also prepared by similar methods were the following compounds in Table 1below,

TABLE 1 LC-MS (RT, mass(es) R³ R⁴ —N(R′′′)(R′′′′) found 3-ClBn Bn

4.38 mins 484 (M − H)⁻ Bn Me

2.16 mins 391 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

3.67 mins 376 (M + H)⁺ Ph Me

3.74 mins 376 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.59 mins 376 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

3.22 mins 406 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

3.42 mins 377 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

3.04 mins 467 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

2.02 mins 377 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

3.43 mins 404 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn Bn

4.60 mins 498 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn Ph

4.30 mins 486 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn i-Bu

4.59 mins 466 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn i-Bu

4.41 mins 438 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn Bn

4.38 mins 486 (M + H)⁺ PhCH₂CH₂ Me

3.83 mins 390 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn Et

4.27 mins 438 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn Et

4.05 mins 424 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

4.05 mins 404 (M + H)⁺ 2-ClBn H

3.55 mins 396 (M + H)⁺ 2-ClBn Me

3.85 mins 410 (M + H)⁺ 3-ClBn H

3.57 mins 396 (M + H)⁺ 4-ClBn H

3.60 mins 396 (M + H)⁺ Bn Me

3.61 mins 392 (M + H)⁺ 3-BrBn H

3.60 mins 440 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.31 mins 392 (M + H)⁺ 3-OMeBn H

3.35 mins 392 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.29 mins 392 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.42 mins 392 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.19 mins 401 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

1.81 mins 363 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

2.74 mins 419 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

2.66 mins 419 (M + H)⁺ 3-CNBn H

3.24 mins 387 (M + H)⁺ 4-CNBn H

3.24 mins 387 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.11 mins 348 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

3.37 mins 362 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

12.67 mins  395 (M + H)⁺ Bn H

12.52 mins  395 (M + H)⁺

Example 5 Glucocorticoid Receptor Binding Assay

The following is a description of an assay for determining theinhibition of dexamethasone binding of the Human RecombinantGlucocorticoid Receptor:

Binding protocol: Compounds were tested in a binding displacement assayusing human recombinant glucocorticoid receptor with ³H-dexamethasone asthe ligand. The source of the receptor was recombinantbaculovirus-infected insect cells. This GR was a full-length steroidhormone receptor likely to be associated with heat-shock and otherendogenous proteins.

The assay was carried out in v-bottomed 96-well polypropylene plates ina final volume of 200 μl containing 0.5 nM GR solution, 2.5 nM3H-dexamethasone (Amersham TRK 645) in presence of test compounds, testcompound vehicle (for total binding) or excess dexamethasone (20 μM, todetermine non-specific binding) in an appropriate volume of assaybuffer.

For the Primary Screen, test compounds were tested at 1 μM in duplicate.These compounds were diluted from 10 mM stock in 100% DMSO. Afterdilution to 100 μM, 5 μl were added to 245 μl assay buffer to obtained 2μM compound and 2% DMSO.

For the IC₅₀ determinations, test compounds were tested at 6concentrations in duplicate (concentration range depends on % inhibitionbinding that was obtained in the Primary Screen,). Test compounds werediluted from 10 mM stock in 100% DMSO. The tested solutions wereprepared at 2× final assay concentration in 2% DMSO/assay buffer.

All reagents and the assay plate were kept on ice during the addition ofreagents. The reagents were added to wells of a v-bottomed polypropyleneplate in the following order: 50 μl of 10 nM 3H-dexamethasone solution,100 μl of TB/NSB/compound solution and 50 μl of 2 nM GR solution. Afterthe additions, the incubation mixture was mixed and incubated for 2.5hrs at 4° C.

After 2.5 hrs incubation, unbound counts were removed with dextrancoated charcoal (DCC) as follows: 25 μl of DCC solution (10% DCC inassay buffer) was added to all wells and mixed (total volume 225 μl).The plate was centrifuged at 400 rpm for 10 minutes at 4° C. 75 μl ofthe supernatants (i.e. ⅓ of total volume) was carefully pipetted into anoptiplate. 200 μl of scintillation cocktail were added (Microscint-40,Packard Bioscience. B.V.). The plate was vigorously shaken for approx.10 minutes and counted on Topcount.

For the IC₅₀ determinations, the results were calculated as % inhibition[³H]-dexamethasone bound and fitted to sigmoidal curves (fixed to 100and 0) to obtain IC₅₀ values (concentration of compound that displaces50% of the bound counts). The IC₅₀ values were converted to K_(i) (theinhibition constant) using the Cheng-Prusoff equation. Test results arepresented in Table 2 for selected compounds of the Invention. Compoundswith a K_(i) value of <10 nM are designated with ***; compounds with aK_(i) value of 10-100 nM are designated with **; compounds with a K_(i)of >100 nM are designated with *.

Reagents: Assay buffer: 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.6containing 5 mM DTT, 10 mM sodium molybdate, 100 μM EDTA and 0.1% BSA.

TABLE 2 NO. COMPOUND Ki 1

* 2

* 3

* 4

** 5

** 6

** 7

** 8

* 9

* 10

** 11

* 12

** 13

* 14

* 15

** 16

* 17

** 18

** 19

* 20

* 21

* 22

* 23

* 24

** 25

* 26

* 27

* 28

* 29

* 30

* 31

*** 32

* 33

*** 34

** 35

*** 36

** 37

** 38

** 39

*** 40

** 41

*** 42

** 43

*** 44

* 45

*** 46

** 47

** 48

**

Example 7 GR Functional Assay Using SW1353/MMTV-5 Cells

SW1353/MMTV-5 is an adherent human chondrosarcoma cell line thatcontains endogenous glucocorticoid receptors. It was transfected with aplasmid (pMAMneo-Luc) encoding firefly luciferase located behind aglucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE) derived from a viral promoter(long terminal repeat of mouse mammary tumor virus). A stable cell lineSW1353/MMTV-5 was selected with geneticin, which was required tomaintain this plasmid. This cell line was thus sensitive toglucocorticoids (dexamethasone) leading to expression of luciferase(EC₅₀ ^(dex) 10 nM). This dexamethasone-induced response was graduallylost over time, and a new culture from an earlier passage was started(from a cryo-stored aliquot) every three months.

In order to test for a GR-antagonist, SW1353/MMTV-5 cells were incubatedwith several dilutions of the compounds in the presence of 5×EC₅₀ ^(dex)(50 nM), and the inhibition of induced luciferase expression wasmeasured using a luminescence in a Topcounter (LucLite kit from PerkinElmer). For each assay, a dose-response curve for dexamethasone wasprepared in order to determine the EC₅₀ ^(dex) required for calculatingthe K_(i) from the IC₅₀'s of each tested compound. Test results arepresented in Table 3 for selected compounds of the invention. Compoundswith a K_(i) value of 10-100 nM are designated with **; compounds with aK_(i) of >100 nM are designated with *. The compound numbers refer tothe chemical structures provided in Table 2 above.

SW1353/MMTV-5 cells were distributed in 96-well plates and incubated inmedium (without geneticin) for 24 hrs (in the absence of CO₂). Dilutionsof the compounds in medium+50 nM dexamethasone were added and the platesfurther incubated for another 24 hrs after which the luciferaseexpression is measured.

TABLE 3 COMPOUND Ki 31 ** 33 ** 34 * 35 ** 36 * 38 ** 43 * 45 **

Example 8 Cytotoxicity Assay Using SW1353/Luc-4 Cells

In order to exclude the possibility that compounds inhibit thedexamethasone-induced luciferase response (GR-antagonist) due to theircytotoxicity or due to their direct inhibition of luciferase, a SW1353cell line was developed that constitutively expresses fireflyluciferase, by transfection with plasmid pcDNA3.1-Luc and selection withgeneticin. The cell line SW1353/Luc-4 was isolated that constitutivelyexpresses luciferase.

SW1353/Luc-4 cells are distributed in 96-well plates and incubated (noCO₂) for 24 hrs, after which compound dilutions (without dexamethasone)are added. After a further 24 hrs incubation, luciferase expression ismeasured using the “LucLite” assay.

Example 9 MR and PR Functional Assays Using T47D/MMTV-5 Cells

T47D/MMTV-5 is an adherent human breast carcinoma cell line containingendogenous mineralocorticoid-(MR) and progesterone (PR) receptors. Asfor the SW1353 cell line, T47D cells have been transfected with the samepMAMneo-Luc plasmid, and stable lines selected with geneticin. A cellline T47D/MMTV-5 was isolated which responds to aldosterone (EC₅₀ ^(ald)100 nM), and progesterone (EC₅₀ ^(prog) 10 nM), leading to expression ofluciferase.

As for the GR assay to test for MR- or PR-antagonists, the T47D/MMTV-5cells are incubated with several dilutions of the compounds in thepresence of the 5×EC₅₀ of the agonist aldosterol (EC₅₀ ^(ald) 100 nM) orprogesterone (EC₅₀ ^(prog) 10 nM) respectively. For each assay, a doseresponse curve is prepared for both aldosterone and progesterone.

T47D/MMTV-5 cells are distributed in 96-well plates (100 μl) in RPMI1640medium+10% Charcoal stripped FCS. The cells are incubated for 24 hrs inthe CO₂-oven. A volume of 100 μl of the compound dilutions inmedium+agonist (500 nM aldost; 50 nM progest) are added, and the platesfurther incubated for another 24 hrs after which the luciferaseexpression is measured.

Example 10 Selectivity Binding assays

Selectivity binding assays were performed against human estrogen (ERα),progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors.The selectivity assays were carried out in the same assay buffer andvolumes as the GR binding assay and DCC was used to separate free frombound label.

Mineralocorticoid binding assay: MR was obtained from Sf9 cells infectedwith recombinant baculovirus containing MR, and the MR was isolatedaccording to the method of Binart et al (Binart, N.; Lombes, M.;Rafestin-Oblin, M. E.; Baulieu, E. E. Characterisation of humanmineralocorticoid receptor expressed in the baculovirus system. PNAS US,1991, 88, 10681-10685). Compounds were tested against an appropriatedilution of the MR (determined for each batch of receptor) with 2.4 nMof [³H] aldosterone (Perkin Elmer NET419) and incubated for 60 mins atroom temperature.

Estrogen binding assay: Compounds were tested for displacement of 0.56nM [³H]-estradiol (Perkin Elmer NET517) binding to 0.5 nM ERα (obtainedfrom PanVera 26467A) following an incubation period of 90 mins at roomtemperature.

Progesterone binding assay: Compounds were tested for displacement of 3nM [³H]-progesterone (Perkin Elmer NET381) binding to 1 nM PR (obtainedfrom PanVera 24900). This assay was incubated for 120 mins at 4° C.

Androgen binding assay: Compounds were tested, in triplicate, fordisplacement of 6 nM [³H]-dihydrotestosterone (Perkin Elmer NET453)binding to 3 nM PR (obtained from PanVera 24938). This assay wasincubated overnight at 4° C.

Selected compounds of Table 2 were tested against MR, ER, PR, and ARreceptors. All compounds tested showed Ki's of greater than 100 nM forMR, ER, PR, and/or AR receptors.

1. A method of modulating a glucocorticoid receptor including the stepsof contacting a glucocorticoid receptor with a compound and detecting achange in the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor, said compoundhaving the formula:

wherein, m and n are integers independently selected from 0 to 2, suchthat the nitrogen heterocycle including m and n is a piperidinyl ring;R¹ is a member selected from unsubstituted phenyl and phenyl substitutedwith R^(1B); R² is a member selected from hydrogen, —CN, and —OH; R³ isa member selected from unsubstituted benzyl and benzyl substituted withR^(3A); R^(3A) and R^(1B) are members independently selected fromhalogen, hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted heteroalkyl,unsubstituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, unsubstitutedaryl, unsubstituted heteroaryl, —CN, —CF₃, —OR⁵, —SR⁶, —NR⁷R⁸,-L³-C(O)R⁹, and -L⁴-S(O)₂R¹⁰, wherein R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, and R⁸ are membersindependently selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstitutedheteroalkyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl,unsubstituted aryl, and unsubstituted heteroaryl, wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areoptionally joined to form a ring with the nitrogen to which they areattached, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are members independently selected from hydrogen,unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted heteroalkyl, unsubstitutedcycloalkyl, unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl,unsubstituted heteroaryl, and —NR¹¹R¹², wherein R¹¹ and R¹² areindependently selected from the hydrogen, unsubstituted alkyl,unsubstituted heteroalkyl, unsubstituted cycloalkyl, unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl, unsubstituted aryl, unsubstituted heteroaryl, and L³and L⁴ are members independently selected from a bond and —NH—; and R⁴is a member selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted alkyl; wherein eacharyl is independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl,1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, and 4-biphenyl, each heterocycloalkyl isindependently selected from the group consisting of1-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridyl), 1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl,3-piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 3-morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl,tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, tetrahydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrothien-3-yl,1-piperazinyl, and 2-piperazinyl, and each heteroaryl is independentlyselected from the group consisting of 1-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl,3-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, pyrazinyl,2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl,4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl,2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl,2-pyrimidyl, 4-pyrimidyl, 5-benzothiazolyl, purinyl, 2-benzimidazolyl,5-indolyl, 1-isoquinolyl, 5-isoquinolyl, 2-quinoxalinyl, 5-quinoxalinyl,3-quinolyl, and 6-quinolyl.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecompound is selected from the group consisting of


3. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from thegroup consisting of


4. The method of claim 1, wherein n and m are
 1. 5. The method of claim1, wherein each unsubstituted alkyl is an unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀ alkyl,each unsubstituted heteroalkyl is an unsubstituted 2 to 20 memberedheteroalkyl, and each unsubstituted cycloalkyl is an unsubstituted C₄-C₈cycloalkyl.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is a member selectedfrom hydrogen and unsubstituted C₁-C₅ alkyl.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein R¹ isunsubstituted phenyl.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein R² is hydrogen.10. The method of claim 1, wherein said compound has the formula


11. The method of claim 1, wherein said modulating a glucocorticoidreceptor is antagonizing a glucocorticoid receptor.